Los Angeles will start off 2014 plastic bag-free. January 1, 2014 marked the beginning of the city-wide ban on disposable plastic shopping bags among large supermarkets. Shoppers will have to provide their own reusable bags or pay 10 cents for paper bags. The new law grew out of concern that disposable plastic bags end up in streets and eventually make their way into oceans and waterways where they can threaten fish and wildlife, according to the Los Angeles Times. With the measure, Los Angeles becomes the largest city in the country to ban plastic bags.

To aid in the transition, city officials, along with environmental and non-profit groups, have collaborated to distribute thousands of reusable shopping bags, often made of recycled materials, completely free of charge. Recommendations for pet owners who might miss the plastic bags include recycling newspapers, bread bags or produce bags to collect pet waste.

Removing up to 2 million plastic carryout bags from the system, Los Angeles has taken a major step in curbing local plastic pollution. Where statewide policy failed to show, Angelenos have taken environmental sustainability into their own hands and set a powerful example for other major cities like New York and Chicago to follow.

By signing the petition below, you can thank their efforts to encourage smarter resource use and protect the environment.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear Mayor Garcetti,

I am writing to thank you for making Los Angeles the largest city in the country to ban plastic carryout bags. With this measure, you are leading Los Angeles residents toward more sustainable lifestyles, taking a major step in curbing local plastic pollution.

You and city officials have teamed up with environmental and non-profit groups to distribute reusable shopping bags made from recycled materials, which ensures Angelenos’ comprehension and adjustment to the change. In stepping up where statewide policy failed to show, you have also set a powerful example in environmental awareness that other major cities will hopefully follow. Thank you for modeling smarter resource use, so we can enjoy living in a cleaner, healthier planet.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

Photo Credit: David Lawrence via chickahominy.davidmlawrence.com

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